Carton closing device



Jan. 19, 1937. B. 1.. MAXW ELL CARTON CLOSING DEVICE z Sheets-Shet 1Filed Dec. 15, 1934 TTORNEY Jan. 19, 1937'. B. L. MAXWELL CARTON CLOSINGDEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATI'ORNEYS Jan. 19, 1937. BMAXWELL 2,068,241 7 CARTON CLOSING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1954 s SheetsSheet s 7 lim- Patented Jan. 19, 1937 PATENT O CARTON CLOSING DEVICEBernard L. Maxwell, Reading, Mass, assignor to Lever Brothers Company, acorporation of 4 Maine Application December 15, 1934, Serial No. 757,633

15 Claims.

This invention relates to packaging apparatus and particularly toapparatus for closing and sealing cartons.

In merchandising packaged bulky products, such as soap flakes orpowders, it has been found that the cartons often reach consumers withthe level of the contents noticeably below the top or the carton,sometimes to the extent of a half inch or more,although the cartons werefilled to the top before sealing at the factory. This is objectionableand disadvantageous from a sales viewpoint inasmuch ascustomers onnoting that the level of the contents is below the top of the carton maycome to the conclusion that they have been given short measure whereasthe discrepancy between the capacity of the carton and the quantity ofmaterial therein is actually a result of the shrinkage in the volume ofthe contents due to natural settling thereof after packaging or becauseof considerable jarring of the cartons while in transit.

To correct this undesirable condition it has been proposed to place agreater quantity of material in the package by heaping it above the topand mechanically compressing the contents to the top edge of the cartonby means of a plunger before closing and sealing the flaps. However,this procedure has not been entirely successful since the compression ofsuch products as soap flakes by a mechanical plunger often results inbreaking the flakes and removing the crinkle therefrom so that theproduct does not reach the consumer in its natural condition. Moreover,undesirable shrinkage in the volume of the contents; as mentioned above,is still found to take place due, in part, to the fact that when aplunger is used it may in certain cases enter about two'thirds of theway into the carton, thereby compressing and breaking up the contents inthe lower third of the carton. When the plunger is extracted it drawswith it from the lower third of the carton into the upper two thirds ofthe carton some of the product, thereby creating a condition 'in whichthe specific gravity of the product in the lower third of the cartondiffers materially from that in the upper two thirds.

- On subsequent handling of the carton before it reaches the consumerthe tendency of the lighter product in the upper two thirds of thecarton is to settle in more compact form, thus having an empty space atthe top of the carton. I

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioneddisadvantages by filling the cartons, with the end and side flapsextending vertically from the top of the carton, to

a level between the upstanding flaps and then closing the flaps to sealthe carton thus putting the material under pressure without diminishingits resiliency. As a result when the package is opened it will tend toexpand again to above the package level.

A second object is to provide new and improved apparatus which is simplein construction and reliable in operation for folding the end flaps of acarton inwardly to close them.

A third object is to provide apparatus for folding both end flapssimultaneously. I

Another object is to press the quantity of material between theupstanding flaps into the body of the carton by means of the end flapsas they are folded inwardly.

A further object is to maintain the contents of the carton undercompression by holding the end flaps in their closed positions until theside flaps of the carton have been scaled thereover.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponconsideration of the following description and appended claims when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. in which:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation, partly in section,

of that portion of the carton closing apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 to 7 are perspective views showing a carton at various stagesin the closing operation;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus illustratedin Figure 1 and shows the end-flap closing apparatus;

Flgure9 is a top plan view corresponding to Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view similar to Figure}; but illustrating theapparatus in another position; and

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along the line llll in-Figure 10.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral l0 designates acontinuously driven conveyor belt for carrying empty cartons to andfilled cartons away from a filling station (not shown) where theyreceive a measured quantity of soap flakes or similarly bulky material.Each carton ll reaches thefllling station with the bottom sealed and theend and side flaps l2, l3 and I4, I5, respectively, at the top thereofexthe apparatus tending vertically upwardly from the sides so that thecarton may receive a quantity of soap flakes filling it to a levelbetween the upstanding flaps and above the score lines I 6 about whichthese flaps are turned inwardly and downwardly to close and seal thecarton, as illustrated in Fi 3.

Guides l1, spaced at a distance slightly greater than the thickness ofthe cartons, extend along and above belt I0 and near their forward endsare inclined across the belt for directing the cartons laterally thereofto be advanced beyond guides I! to a position in front of areciprocatory offset-feed device. moves the cartons in succession frombelt i0 and delivers them to apparatus, designated as a whole by thenumeral 39, which is provided for closing the end flaps I2, I 3 andwhich is disposed in offset relation to the conveyor belt, as shown inFig. 2.

The forward movement of-each carton II by belt in is stopped by bars l8,l9 positioned to engage the forward end of each carton near the top andbottom thereof. Bars l8, It also serve to guide the cartons in theirsubsequent lateral movement by the offset-feed device which. is disposedto reciprocate transversely of and above the conveyor belt. Theoffset-feed device comprises a member 20 fixed to a reciprocatory rod 2|and carrying a pusher plate 22 for moving a carton H off belt Ill onto aplatform 23 located .beneath the end flap closing apparatus 39 with therear side face of the carton contacting a guide bar 24. Plate 22 has anangular extension -25 for closing the exit at the forward end of guidesH to temporarily stop the advance of the following cartons, belt I0slipping beneath the cartons whose forward movement therewith is thusinhibited.

The reciprocation of rod 2| is effected and controlled by acam 26 on acam shaft 21 through a mechanism shown in Figure 2 and hereinafterdescribed, adapted to convert the rotary movement of shaft 21 into areciprocatory movement for rod 2| and the onset-feed plate 22 actuatedthereby. The offset-feed cam 26 does not effect continuousreciprocations of the oilset-feed device but operates the latter onlywhen the cam is tripped by a trigger 30. Trigger 30 extends adjacentbars I8, I 9 and has one end positioned in the path of movement of acarton as it is advanced from guides I! by belt Ill so that when acarton becomes positioned in front of onset-feed plate 22, trigger 30 isactuated by the carton to cause tripping of the mechanism actuated bycam 26 for effecting operationof the oifset-feed device to transfer thecarton to platform 23.

The trigger 30 is pivotally mounted on the framework of the apparatusand has a pawl 30a connected thereto spring biased in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 2. Adjacent the pawl 30;: is a pivotallymounted member 3 la having a notch 32a normally engaging the pawl 30a.The member lla also has a lever 33a attached thereto and movabletherewith. Also mounted on the pivotal support for member 3| a is alever 34a having a notch 34b therein movable with respect to member 3 laand attached through link 35a. to cam 28, whereby rotation of cam 26oscillates the lever 34a. The member 3|a also carries pivotally mountedpawl 36a, which is biased in a clockwise direction by spring 31a tendingto engage the end of pawl 36a in the notch 34b of lever 34a. Pawl 36ahas an outwardly extending arm libwhich engages fixed pin 38:: on theframework when the pusher plate 22 is retracted. The framework of theapparatus is provided with a bore 39a containing a springpressed plunger40a acting asa shock absorbin The offset-feed device remeans and alsourging the member 3 la in a clockwise direction. The lever 33a isconnected by link 4m to the pusher rod 2|. When a carton strikes thetrigger 30, it is displaced, also moving pawl 30a out of notch 32athereby permitting member 3la to rotate counterclockwise under thepressure exerted by plunger 40a, moving arm 36b out of engagement withpin 38a and swinging pawl 36a into the path of oscillating lever 34awhere pawl 36a will engage notch 34b latching lever 34a to member 3| a.Movement of lever 34a in a counterclockwise direction will rotate member3la and lever 33a in a counterclockwise direction advancing pusher plate22. Return of lever 34a in a clockwise direction will also return thepusher plate and actuating mechanism to their original positionspreparatory to being released by contact of another carton with trigger30.

Cam 26 is formed with a cam slot or the like arranged to vary the rateof reciprocatory movement of pusher'plate 22 by rod 2|. In transferringa carton from belt 10 to platform 23 the plate 22 is initially moved ata sufliciently slow speed to obviate jarring of the carton in order toprevent spilling the soap flakes that fill the carton to a level nearthe top edges of the upstanding flaps. At the end of its inward stroketo transfer a carton, pusher-plate 22 remains in contact therewith foran interval while the end flaps l2, l3 are being closed and its angularextension 25 is positioned to prevent advance of other cartons by beltIll. The return movement of pusher-plate 22 is at a more rapid rate toenable it to be positioned outwardly beyond guides I! in suflicient timeto transfer the following carton to platform 23 without undue delay asthe plate 25 moving beyond the guides l1 permits belt In to positionanother carton in front of the pusher-plate 22 of the offset-feeddevice. Although a particular carton feeding device has been shown anddescribed in detail, it should be understood that other types of feedingdevices may be employed to position the cartons in succession beneaththe device 39 for closing the end flaps.

The device 39 for closing the end flaps l2, l3 of a carton on platform23 comprises a pivoted plate 40 which is slightly less in width than thespace between the side flaps l4, l5. Plate 40 is mounted on a hinge 4|,supported by an adjustable bracket 42 on the machine frame, so that theplate may be swung downwardly into contact with the end flap l2. Achannel shaped member 43 comprising a plate 44 having side flanges 45 iscarried by plate 4| for pivotal movement thereon in the directionopposite to the closing movement of plate 40. Plate 44 is adapted toengage the other end flap i3 and its width corresponds substantially tothe space between the side flaps of a carton. The swinging movements ofplates 40 and 44 are effected by means of a pitman rod 48 adJustablysecured adjacent one end to a crank 41 fixed on a rock shaft 48 which isoperated through a link rod 49 by a cam 50 on cam shaft 21.

Referring also to Figures 8-11, the bifurcated head of pitman rod 46 isconnected by a wrist pin II to a lug on a slide 52 having edge portionsextending beneath guides 53 secured to plate 4|! and projectingpartially over a longitudinal recess formed inthe upper face thereof toprovide a track for the slide. A stop 55 secured to the enlargedhead-portion 56.0fplate 40 limits the rearward movement of slide 52. Pin5i exfrom the end-flap closing apparatus 39.

tends at each side of the head of pitman rod 46 into bearings onportions 45a of the flanges 45 of member 43 that extend beyond theforward end of plate 44, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, and which aredisposed at each side of plate 46 for pivotally mounting member 43 onslide 52.

A link rod 66 provided with a cross head for connecting it between theflanges-45 of member 43 is adjustably secured to a link block 6Ipivotally mounted on a stud 62 supported by bifurcations or lugs 63extending rearwardly from the head-portion 56 of plate 46. Coil springs64 bearing at their opposite ends on lugs 63 and link block 6| urge thelatter counterclockwise to act in conjunction with springs 65, connectedbetween the flange extensions 45a and spring anchors on a clamp 66secured to pitman rod 46, for biasing the closer member 43 for the endflap I3 of a carton to the position'shown in Figs. 1 and 8. Anadjustable stop 69 is provided on bracket 42 for engagement by rod 46 tolimit the downward movement of the closing device.

As best shown in Figs. 9 and 11, rods I6 carrying flared guide. platesII for the side flaps of a carton are supported at their rearward endsin the head portion 56 of plate 46. -Rds I6 are supported in head 56 sothat they extend forwardly along the sides of plate 46 in spacedrelation thereto and to the flanges 45, 45a of member 43 to provide aslot or channel for receiving the side flaps I4, I of a cartonpositioned on platform 23 as plate 46 and member 43 swing downwardlyagainst the top of the carton. A felt pad 12 having a widthsubstantially corresponding to or slightly greater than the spacebetween the side flaps is mounted on plate 46 by a retaining plate I3secured to slide 52 forwardly of its connection to pitman rod- 46 and isadapted to engage the inner side faces of the side flaps.

A conveyor chain I5 guided around a sprocket I6 to travel forwardly inspaced relation to the rear side face of a carton on platform 23 isprovided at intervals with members 11 extending outwardly therefrom andadapted to engage the rearward end of a carton to carry it forwardly Thespacing of members 'I'I along chain I5 and the rate of operation of thelatter are such that a member I1 does not necessarily engage a carton II immediately after it has been laterally transferred to platform 23from belt I6 by the offsetfeed device but may engage the carton toadvance it after the end-flap closing operation has beenpartiallycompleted. The operations of conveyor chain I5 and flap closing device39 are properly coordinated by suitable mechanism operating closed thusretaining the flakes within the package.

Guide bars 18, I9 which may be integral angular extensions of the barsI8, I9 are adapted to engage the front side of the carton and togetherwith the bar 24 engaging the rear'side of a carton guide it in itsforward movement by chain I5.

A plate 86 of a width to fit closely between the side flaps I4, I5 issupported from bracket 42 and is vertically positioned to engage theclosed end flaps I2, I3 as the carton is moved forwardly for maintainingthem closed until one of the side flaps has been sealed thereover tohold them in closed position. The carton is moved forwardly with itsbottom guided on a track 8| which in the arrangement shown supportsplatform 23 with its upper face flush with the guide face 62 of thetrack.

Bracket 42 also supports a pair of plates 83, one at each side of plate66, provided with suitable camming portions 84 positioned for turningthe side flaps I4, I5 downwardly and outwardly to a substantiallyhorizontal position, as illustrated in Figure 5. Air under pressure isdirected against the top of the cartons and side flaps I4, I5 through anapertured pipe 65, supported from bracket 42, for removing any soapflakes from the side flaps and top of the carton to prevent flakesgetting mixed with adhesive that is applied to the longitudinal edges ofthe side flaps as they pass under adhesive applying rolls 86.

Beyond the rolls 86 are plates 81, 86 having camming faces adapted toturn the side flaps I4, I5, respectively, upwardly and slightlyinwardly, as illustrated by the position of flap I5 in Figure 6, intoposition to be engaged by related series of inclined flap closing andsealing rollers 89, 96. The respective rollers of each series have theiraxes inclined at various angles approaching the horizontal across thepath of movement of the top of the carton for turning the side flaps I4,I5 downwardly and pressing them against the end flaps to seal thecarton.

The operation is as follows:

Conveyor belt I6 carries the cartons loosely fllled to a level near thetop edges of the flaps, forwardly to position them in succession infront of the offset-feed device where the foremost carton is brought torest by bars I6, I9 engaging its forward end. The carton engagingtrigger 36 actuates the latter to trip cam 26 for effectingreciprocation of the offset-feed device. Pusher plate 22 of theoffset-feed-device then engages the front side of the carton and movinginwardly, at a rate to obviate jarring the carton and spilling the soapflakes therefrom, transfers the foremost carton from belt I6 to platform23 while plate 25 carried with the pusher plate closes the exit at theforward end of guides II to temporarily prevent forward movement of thefollowing carton with belt I6.

Cam 56 then acts on rod 49 to turn rock shaft 48 clockwise moving pitmanrod 46 downwardly to swing closng device 39 toward the top of the cartonon platform 23. As the closing device is swung downwardly the flaredplates 'II carried by the rods I6 engage the upstanding side flaps I4,I5 and guide them into the channels between rods I6 and the side flanges45 of member 43, as illustrated in Figs. and 11, to hold them invertical positions out of the way of plate 46 and member 43 carriedthereby. As the lower end of pitman rod 46 moves downwardly andforwardly in a clockwise arc, slide 52 connecting the rod to plate 46 isdrawn forwardly in its track 53, 54 on the latter pivoting plate 46downwardly in a clockwise direction about its hinge 4I into engagementwith the end flap I2 for turning the later inwardly and downwardly toclose it. As

it to plate 46, it is caused to pivot counterclockwise, against thebiasing action of springs 64 and 65, about its fulcrum 5| moving alongplate 46 so that upon engaging the end flap I3 it turns the latterinwardly and downwardly to close it also.

The simultaneous pivoting movements of closer plate 48 and the closerplate 44 of member 43 in opposite directions as they are brought intocontact with the end flaps I2, l3, respectively, turns both flapsinwardly and downwardly at the same time and causes the soap flakeslocated between the upstanding flaps to be pressed downwardly into thebody of the carton and compressed by the end flaps l2, l3 as they areclosed. The side flaps l4, l5 which are held vertically between rods Iand the side flanges 45 of member 43 guide the soap flakes into the bodyof the carton and prevent their being forced or spilled over the sides.As shown in Fig. 8 plate 44 is provided with perforations permitting theescape of air that may be expressed as the flakes are compressed in thecarton. As plates 40 and 44 swing downwardly in unison against the topof the carton the felt pad 12 engages the inner faces of the side flapsand thus occupying the space therebetween prevents flakes being expelledfrom the top of the carton, and as it is drawn forwardly with slide 52it becomes positioned, Fig. 10, to wipe stray flakes off the side flapsas the latter bear against the felt when the carton is moved forwardly.

When the end flaps are partially closed the operation of conveyor chain15 brings a member ll thereoninto contact with the rear end of thecarton for advancing it from beneath closing device 39. Since the rods18 extending forwardly along the sides of plate 40 are supported only attheir rearward ends, in head portion 56, the carton may be movedforwardly without interference as the side flaps are free to move out ofthe channels between rods 10 and plate 40.

Pusher plate 22 of the offset-feed device is maintained positionedagainst the front side of the carton holding it against the guide bar 24as flaps l2, l3 are closed. The offset-feed device is then operated bycam 28 to return pusher plate 22 quickly to its outer position fortransferring another carton to platform 23 and plate 25 is movedoutwardly therewith from across guides I! to permit belt Hi to positionthe following car ton in front of the ofiset-feed device.

As end flap I3 is moved from contact with plate 44 of member 48 itengages plate 40 which holds both flaps l2 and I3 closed and asthecarton is advanced from'beneath the closing device 38 the end flapsbecome engaged with the stationary plate 80 which fits closely betweenthe side flaps and bears against the end fiaps to hold them in theirclosed positions.

Cam 58 acts through rod-49 tdturn rock shaft 48 counterclockwiseswinging the flap closing device 39 upwardly. Springs 65 connected tothe side flange extensions 45a and springs 84 acting through link blockBI and rod 68 pivot closer member 43 clockwise as slide 52 is drawnrearwardly by the lower end of pitman rod 41.

Thus, both closer plates 48 and 43 are returned to the positionillustrated in Figs. 1 and 8 in preparation for closing the end flaps ofthe following carton.

As conveyor 15 advances the carton its side flaps l4, l engage thecamming faces 84 of plates 83 so that they are turned outwardly anddownwardly to horizontal'portions, Fig. 5, to pass beneath the rolls 88to receive adhesive adjacent their side edges. Subsequently, flap I4 onengaging plate 81 is turned upwardly and slightly inwardly into positionto pass beneath the inclined rollers 88 which turn the flap down andpress it against the end flaps as the carton advances, as illustrated inFig. 6. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, stationary plate 80 which fits overthe end flaps to hold them closed extends forwardly far enough beneathrollers 89 tohold these flaps closed until they are sealed by flap l4.The plate 88 and rolls 90 turn flap I5 upwardly and then over the flapl4, as shown in Fig. '7, to complete the sealing of the carton.

Although a carton receives a quantity, for example, of loose soap flakesor other bulking material filling it to a level between the upstandingflaps this quantity need not exceed the usual weight of material whichthe carton is intended to contain inasmuch as the soap flakes are put inthe carton in their natural crinkly and unbroken form and thus bulk to avolume sufficient to fill the carton as described. Due to the fact thatthe flakes are not crushed before closing the flaps by a plungeroperating under heavy pressure but are gently pressed down withoutcrushing into the carton by the end flaps as the latter are foldedinwardly, they remain substantially in their natural unbroken state, anddue to their relatively resilient nature tend to resume their originalcondition when the flaps are opened.

The compression of the flakes by the end flaps causes the carton tobulge slightly at the sides and because the flaps are held fully closedby plate 80 until a side flap has been sealed there,- over, the cartonis fully closed and sealed in this condition. As a result, the usualsettling of the flakes due to natural readjustments or to jarring of thecartons'in transit does not manifest itself as a shrinkage in volume ofthe contents to a level objectionably below the top of the carton butresults in relieving the flakes to a degree from the compressing actionof the flaps. In fact it has been found that cartons filled and sealedby apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention often reachthe consumer with the flakes still under sufllcient compression so thatwhen the flaps are opened the contents bulge slightly from the top ofthe carton with the result that the consumer receives the more favorableimpression that the carton has been over-filled. Moreover, the contentsof the carton are less subject to breakage due to abrasion of oneparticle with another and to shaking on handling because when the cartondoes not have an empty space at the top, but is full and its contentsunder pressure, the contents of the carton are less likely to moveabout.

} Although a specific embodiment of the inventionhas been described indetail, there are many changes and variations which may be made-withoutdeparting from the invention and, therefore, it is desired and intendedto include all such changes and variations within the scope of thefollowing "claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a cartoncomprising movable means operable to engage one flap for folding itinwardly to closed position; and means carried by said first means andmovable relatively thereto and engageable with the opposite flap forfolding it inwardly to closed position.

2. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a carton,comprising means operable to engage the flap at one end of the cartonfor folding it inwardly toclosed position; means carried by said firstmeans and movable therealong for engaging the other end flap; and meansassociated with said second means for restrainthe end flaps inengagement therewith for hold-.

ing its movement along said first means 'to cause it to pivot thereonfor folding the otherend flap inwardly.,

3. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a cartoncomprising flap-closing means movable about a stationary pivot forengaging the flap at one end of a carton to fold it inwardly; flapclosing means movable about a shifting pivot to engage the opposite endflap to fold it inwardly; and means for operating said closing means inunison to fold both flaps inwardly simultaneously.

4. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top of a cartoncomprising flap closing means movable abouta stationary pivot forengaging the flap at one end of a carton to fold it inwardly; flapclosing means movable about a shifting pivot on said first means toengage the opposite end flap; and means connected to said second flapclosing means for restraining its movement along said first means tocause it to pivot thereon for engaging the other end flap to fold itinwardly 5. Apparatus for closingfiaps at opposite edges of the top of acarton comprising flap'closing meansmovable about a stationary pivot forengaging the flap at one endof a carton to fold it inwardly; a slidemovable along said means towards the pivot thereof; and flap closingmeans pivoted on said slide for engaging the other end flap to fold itinwardly. 6. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite edges of the top ofa carton comprising flap closing means movable about a stationary pivotfor engaging the flap at one end of a carton to fold it inwardly; aslide movable along said means towards the pivot thereof; flap closingmeans pivoted on said slide for engaging the other end flap to fold itinwardly; and operating means connected to said slide for pivoting saidclosing means in opposite directions for simultaneously folding.' theend flaps of a carton inwardly.

'7. Apparatus for closing the flaps at opposite end edges at the top ofa carton filled with loose bulky material to a level between theupwardly extending end and side flaps thereof comprising a pair ofoppositely movable members each engageable with one of the end flaps;means for simultaneously moving said members toward the top of thecarton for engaging and folding the end flaps inwardly in unison tocompress the material between the upstanding flaps into the body of thecarton and to close the end flaps; and means for holding the flaps atopposite side edges of the carton in substantially vertical positions toprevent spilling the material from the top of the carton during theclosing of the end flaps.

8. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite end edges of the top of acarton filled with loose bulky material to a level between the upwardlyextending end and side flaps thereof comprising a pair of oppositelymovable members each engageable with one of the end flaps; means forsimultaneously moving said members toward the top of the carton forengaging and folding the end flaps inwardly in unison to compress thematerial between the upstanding flaps into the body of the carton and toclose the end flaps; means for holding the'flaps at opposite side edgesof the carton in substantially vertical positions to prevent spillingthe material from the top of the carton during the closing of the endflaps; means for closing and sealing the side flaps in succession overthe closed end flaps; and means fitting closely between the side flapsand extending over ing them in closed position until a side. flap issealed thereover to complete sealing of thecarton with the materialtherein under compression.

9. A device for closing the flaps extending upwardly from opposite edgesat the top of a carton comprising; a carton support; a flap closingplate pivotally mounted above said support and positioned to be swungdownwardly aganst the top of a carton on said support; a slide mountedon said plate; operating means connected to said slide for moving italong said plate toward the pivot thereof for pivoting said platedownwardly into engagement with the flap at one edge of the carton tofold it inwardly to closed position; a second flap closing platepivotally mounted on said slide; and means connected to said secondcloser plate for restraining its movement with:

said slide to cause it to pivot thereon in a direction opposite to themovement of said first plate into engagement with the flap at theopposite edge of said carton for folding it inwardly to closed position.

10. A device for closing flaps extending upwardly from opposite edges ofthe top of a carton comprising; 'a carton support; a flap closing platepivotally mounted above said support and positioned to be swungdownwardly against the top of a carton on said support; a slide mountedon said plate; operating means connected to said slide for moving italong said plate toward the pivot thereof for pivoting said platedownwardly into engagement with the flap at one edge of the carton tofold it inwardlytoclosed position; a second flap closing plate pivotallymounted on said slide; and means connecting said plates for restrainingthe movement of said second plate with said slide to cause it to pivotthereon in a direction opposite to the movement of said first plate intoengagement with the flap at the opposite edge of said carton for foldingit inwardly to closed position.

11. In a carton closing and sealing apparatus having means for applyingadhesive to the flaps along the side edges at the top of a carton andmeans for folding said flaps inwardly in succession and sealing themover previously closed end flaps of the carton; means for closing theend flaps of the carton comprising a pair of oppositely movable memberseach engageable with one of the end flaps; means for simultaneouslymoving said members toward the top of the carton for engaging the endflaps and folding them inwardly in unison to closed position; meansengaging the side flaps for holding them in substantially verticalpositions during closing of the end flaps; and means fitting closelybetween the side flaps to completely overlie the end flaps in engagementtherewith and extending from the end flap closing means beyond theadhesive applying means to said side flap closing means for holding theendflaps in closed position until a side flap is sealed thereoverl 12. Adevice for closing flaps of a carton having the flaps at its endand sideedges extending upwardly from the top thereof comprising a cartonsupport; a closer plate pivotally mounted above said support andpositioned to be swung downwardly between the upstanding side flaps of acarton on said supportinto engagement with one end flap of the cartonfor foldingit inwardly to closed position; a slide mounted on saidplate;

a second closer plate pivotally mounted on said slide; operating meansfor said closer plates; means for restraining the movement of saidsecond closer plate with said slide to cause it to pivot thereon toengage the other end flap of the carton and fold it inwardly to closerposition, a carton when positioned on said support containing materialfilling it to a level between the upstanding end and side flaps thereofand the closing of said end flaps by said plates pressing said materialinto the carton; and means extending along said first closer plate anddisposed in spaced relation to each side edge thereof for holding theside flaps of the carton positioned to prevent spilling of materialfromthe sides of a carton during closing of the end flaps. 4

13. A device for closing flaps of a carton having the flaps at its endand side edges extending upwardly from the top thereof comprising acarton support; a closer plate pivotally mounted above said support andpositioned to be swung downwardly into engagement with one end flap ofthecarton for folding it inwardly to closed.

position; a slide mounted on said plate; a second closer plate pivotallymounted on said slide; means for restraining the movement of said secondcloser plate with said slide to cause it to pivot thereon to engage theother end flap of the carton and fold it inwardly to closed position;operating means for said closer plates; and spaced means extending alongopposite side edges of said plates for engaging opposite faces of theside flaps of a carton to hold them positioned out of the path ofmovement of said plates in closing the end flaps.

14. A device for closing flaps of a carton having the flaps at its endand side edges extending upwardly from the top thereof comprising acarton support; a closer plate pivotally mounted above said support andpositioned to be swung downwardly into engagement with one end flapthereof for folding it inwardly to closed position; a second closerplate pivotally mounted to engage the opposed end flap of the carton andfold it inwardly to closed position; operating means for said closerplates; flanges on opposite side edges of said second closer plate, apair of rods, each supported at one end thereof by said first closerplate and extending therealong in spaced relation to said flanges forforming channels to receive the side flaps of a carton; and guidingmeans carried by said rods for directing the side flaps of a carton intosaid channels when said closer plates are swung downwardly to close theend flaps.

15. Apparatus for closing the flaps at opposite end edges at the top ofa carton filled with loose bulky material to a level between theupwardly extending end and side flaps thereof comprising a pair ofoppositely movable members each engageable with one of the end flaps;means for simultaneously moving said members toward the top of thecarton for engaging and folding the end flaps inwardly in unison tocompress the material between the upstanding flaps into the body of thecarton and to close the end flaps; means for holding the flaps atopposite side edges of the carton in substantially vertical positions toprevent spilling the material from the top of the carton during theclosing of the end flaps; means for applying adhesive to the side flapsto seal the carton when the side flaps are folded over the end flaps;and an air jet intermediate said end flaps closing means and saidadhesive

